Wall mounted hospital bed, health care facility, or other wall (or surface) type light with Ultraviolet-C germicidal (or other) air decontamination system

ABSTRACT

A wall- or surface-mounted light fixture with a housing containing one or more external visible light sources to illuminate the space where the light fixture is mounted, one or more UV emitters inside the housing to destroy bacteria and pathogens, and one or more fans inside the housing that recirculate the air in a space and subject the air to the UV radiation inside the housing, destroying bacteria and pathogens in the air passing though the housing.

This patent application claims priority to provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/391,681, filed on May 9, 2017, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

This invention was not made pursuant to any federally-sponsored researchand/or development.

THE FIELD OF INVENTION

Dangerous bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are present in the airand on various physical surfaces, which are easily spread through airand by contact with contaminated surfaces. These airborne or surfacepathogens, which are more common in hospitals and other health carefacilities, can cause infections in people, where the patientsfrequently have other diseases, lowered immune system responses,respiratory disorders, and conditions prone to infection. Methods ofcontrol are difficult and labor-intensive, involving washing or wipingsurfaces with caustic germicidal substances, leaving a film and/or smellof these substances on surfaces. An even greater problem wasdisinfecting the air to destroy airborne bacteria and other pathogensthat could resettle on surfaces.

The present invention is a wall- or surface-mounted luminaire (lightfixture) with an internal air decontamination system. The light fixtureis mounted above a hospital bed, in a health care facility, or on asimilar wall or surface at a similar facility, preferably utilizingUltraviolet-C germicidal source for the air decontamination system. Thisself-contained decontamination light fixture is designed to killairborne pathogens that enter into the light fixture's internaldecontamination chamber. This system is intended to be mounted to wallsor surfaces, preferably above hospital beds, or in other similar areasand in other facilities, that will allow the system to draw room airfrom the room, and preferably from directly above bed and the patient,or other areas of concern, and into the unit's decontamination chamber.

However, the system and device of the present invention may be mountedon any wall or surface, at ay height, without detrimental impact to itsefficiency or operation, such as, for example, directly to a ceiling orjust above the floor level to provide floor-level lighting, while at thesame time decontaminating the air in the room. In case of such mounting,the system may be even more efficient in combating bacteria andpathogens near the floor level, brought in by people's shoes from theoutside.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The benefits of devices that use ultraviolet spectrum light for killingbacteria and other pathogens are known in the art. Non-visible,Ultraviolet C or Germicidal light source technology is known to destroythe DNA or ability of bacteria and other pathogens to reproduce. Visiblelight utilized on common light fixtures used as a light source isusually in the 400-700 nm range. UV light used to destroy bacteria andother pathogens is typically below 390 nm (although any light below 400nm is considered UV light). Some of the methods of using UV light forkilling bacteria, including dangerous staphylococcus strains, aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,350,228, 8,398,264, 8,439,517, and9,517,280, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,350,228 and 8,439,517, in particular, perform thedisinfecting function by way of a germicidal modular insert or a modularinsert adder box incorporating UV emitters, attached to a recessed gridor inverted T-bar ceiling troffer-type light fixture. The recessedtroffer-type light fixture of the '228 patent typically rests oninverted T-bar grid suspended ceiling in a building, replacing panels inthe suspended ceiling. The light fixture of the '228 patent includes aluminaire with a germicidal modular insert affixed to the inverted T-Barceiling grid. The '228 patent requires a pivotal relationship betweenthe unit and the ceiling grid, with first position having the sameplanar surface as the ceiling during operation of the light fixture andthe second position pivoted 90 degrees from ceiling for light fixturemaintenance or access to germicidal modular insert UV tube replacement.However, that particular approach is less impractical and dangerousduring installation or maintenance because heavy, recessed inverted Tbar ceiling-mounted light fixtures require disengagement from themounting surface to pivot 90 degrees, below ceiling surface for serviceor maintenance in a manner which is unsafe and may cause the unit tobreak free from its attachment means, injuring the service technician ormaintenance person, disconnecting from the power supply connection, orcausing damage to the installation facility. The increased weightdifferential of the unit in the '228 patent from the original standardrecessed troffer light fixture may require additional ceiling supportversus the original.

What is needed is an easily- and safely-mounted light fixture, whichgrants easy access to the lights and internal components formaintenance, repair and replacement, utilizes the existing power supplysource, and which efficiently disinfects the air passing (circulating)through the light fixture, destroying the bacteria in the air.

The present invention solves this problem by providing a wall- orsurface-mounted light fixture that recirculates the air and subjects theair to UV radiation inside the light fixture, destroying many kinds ofharmful bacteria. The present invention relates more particularly to asystem and device that includes a housing attachable to a wall or asurface, one or more UV emitters inside the housing, and one or morefans inside the housing that recirculate the air in a room and subjectthe air to the germicidal UV radiation inside the housing, therebydestroying bacteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a securely-mountedlight fixture that includes a housing attachable to a wall or a surface,one or more external visible light sources on the surface or protrudingthrough the housing to illuminate the space where the light fixture ismounted, or more UV emitters inside the housing to destroy pathogens,and one or more fans inside the housing that recirculate the air in aroom and subject the air to the UV radiation inside the housing,destroying bacteria and pathogens in the air passing though the housing.The light fixture may optionally include an external UV emitter fordecontaminating the area directly (both the surfaces of the area and theair).

The external visible light sources of the system and device of thepresent invention may be of 405 nm wavelength, for example, which is inthe visible light spectrum. The internal and optional externaldecontamination sources (UV emitters) preferably range from 100 nm to400 nm.

The light fixture is a completely self-contained air decontaminationunit, preferably with an anti-microbial finish, that requires noadditional devices other than a power supply (currently AC). This lightfixture uses internal fans or other mechanisms known in the art to drawroom air into one end of the light fixture and expel the air from theother end of the light fixture to return the disinfected air to theroom. As the air passes through the light fixture, the air flows by oneor more Ultraviolet germicidal light sources which destroy organisms andpathogens that come into contact with the germicidal light sourceemissions, decontaminating the air before the air exits the lightfixture. This system and device are unique because, once installed, thelight fixture decontaminates the air in a room cavity and does notrequire moving or altering the installation in any way, other thanperiodically opening the designed access panel for maintenance. Allmaintenance is performed by way of a convenient maintenance accesssystem, designed for quick access to replaceable components, which issafer than maintenance of overhead (T-Bar ceiling-mounted) lightfixtures.

Some of the features of the system and device of the present inventioninclude: this wall or surface mounted luminaire with internal airdecontamination system may be permanently or detachably affixed tomounting surface; it may not required to disengage from the mountingsurface for maintenance or servicing; this wall or surface mountedluminaire with internal air decontamination system may be mechanicallyfastened to a wall or a surface in a way that does not require theluminaire to be moved or disengaged from mounting position formaintenance or service; this wall or surface mounted luminaire with aninternal air decontamination system is designed to operate as a primary,secondary, or part of facility room or area lighting system; thisluminaire is designed to pull room air into the unit, where the room airflows into the unit internal decontamination chamber and where the airpathogens are destroyed before the air exits the unit exhaust provision;this luminaire contains room lighting (the external visible lightsource) and internal non-visible light source; the optional externalnon-visible light source may consist of Light emitting diode (LED),fluorescent, germicidal, ultraviolet light, ultraviolet-C light (UV-C),or other decontamination-type source, just as the internal non-visiblelight source may.

This wall or surface mounted luminaire with internal air decontaminationsystem has option to switch from external visible light source toexternal non-invisible light source. External non-visible light sourceconsist of germicidal or ultraviolet light (UV-C) designed to destroypathogens on surfaces or in air as they come into contact with externalnon-visible light source. This luminaire with an internal airdecontamination system and an external non-visible light sourcepreferably has wavelengths ranging from 100 nm to 400 nm. The wall orsurface mounted luminaire is preferably accessible for maintenance by anaccess method that does not require unit to be moved, altered, orremoved in any way from its mounted position on wall or surface, such asby employing an access panel.

The luminaire may have light switching capabilities, accessible topatient or others near unit, that allow the external visible lightsource to be controlled directly from unit by switches installed on thedevice. The unit's external visible light source may be designed as2-way (On/Off) or as 3-way room lighting consisting of at least twolight external visible light sources operating independently or together(3-way room lighting meaning 3-position lighting plus the “off”position). Thus, Position 1: Only one external visible room light sourceON position (Light A is On position/Light B is off position); Position2: Only one external visible room light source ON position (Light B isOn position/Light A is Off position); Position 3: Both external visibleroom light sources ON position (Light A is On position/Light B is Onposition); Position 4: All external visible room light sources Offposition.

The luminaire with internal air decontamination system may contain airfilter systems for air decontamination, which may be accessible formaintenance by way of vent cover, grill, or access panel that isremovable, hinged, or using other methods that do not require the unitto be moved, removed, pivoted, hinged, altered, or removed or relocatedin any way from its installed mounted operating position.

This luminaire preferably has an access cover that does not require theunit to be moved, removed, pivoted, hinged, altered, or removed orrelocated in any way from installed mounted operating position for unitmaintenance or any reason. This wall or surface mounted luminairepreferably has a switch to shut down power to the internaldecontamination chamber when the maintenance panel or access cover ofany sort is opened or removed for access or maintenance.

This wall or surface mounted luminaire system consists of any form ofpathogen killing, disinfecting, germicidal, or other method or sourceavailable. This wall or surface mounted luminaire with internal airdecontamination system is capable of being connected to another unit toincrease unit linear size (length), or continuous run and also sharepower supply internally through unit internal raceway (i.e., a modularconfiguration). This luminaire may contain components designed for easymaintenance by using male/female modular-type connectors or othersimilar devices.

This luminaire may have occupancy sensors, thermal sensor, or motionsensor devices to control lighting and/or air decontamination systemwhen the room is occupied versus unoccupied. The sensor may be passiveinfrared, ultrasonic, dual passive infrared and Ultrasonic or other typeof sensors known in the art. This luminaire is preferably capable ofdimming the external visible light source(s), and the luminairepreferably contains an indicator light to confirm when the internal airdecontamination system is or is not working properly or requiresmaintenance. This wall or surface mounted Luminaire with internal airdecontamination system may include an option for a timer system to beused when the external non-visible light source is in use.

This luminaire preferably includes an online or other type monitoringsystem, on site or remote, which alerts installation facility or othersthat system that is working properly or is not working properly andrequires maintenance. This wall or surface mounted luminaire preferablyincludes a warning strobe light, flashing light, audible alarm, and/oranother warning device, or combination of warning devices, when the unitswitches from external visible light source to the optional externalnon-visible light source (UV) for room decontamination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A system and device for disinfecting air in a hospital, health care, orsimilar facility will now be described by way of example with referenceto the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the light fixture of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodying of thelight fixture of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of the alternative embodying ofthe light fixture of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective cross section view of another alternativeembodying of the light fixture of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting and use of the lightfixture of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wall- orsurface-mounted luminaire with an internal decontamination system,preferably with a lower level air induction and upper level exhaust,which creates air movement through the luminaire to circulate room aireffectively when the unit is wall- or surface-mounted. This luminairewith an internal decontamination system draws air into system from amid-room level, disinfects the air inside the luminaire housing(enclosure), and exhausts decontaminated air to room upper level isdifferent from the unit exhaust level when wall mounted. Alternatively,the lower level air induction and upper level exhaust may be replacedwith an air induction and air exhaust substantially in the same plane,such as for example, in a ceiling-mounting recessed light fixture(drawing the air upward into the air induction and exhausting the airdownward into the room from the exhaust).

A wall- or surface-mounted (or recessed) luminaire with an internaldecontamination system is provided. The luminaire is designed for wallor surface mounting in areas such as hospitals, health care facilities,and other locations where wall-mounted lighting or surface-mounted (orrecessed) lighting is required. Such a luminaire would be useful inhospitals, healthcare and other facilities, where the light source ismounted to the wall above the bed or to ceiling surface (or recessed).

Externally the luminaire contains one or more of external visible lightsources as primary or secondary room illumination. The external visiblelight sources may be Light Emitting Diode (LED), Fluorescent, or otheravailable visible light sources capable of illuminating a roomeffectively.

Internally, the luminaire contains an internal decontamination systemthat is designed to draw room air into the fixture's decontaminationchamber, where a decontamination source (Ultraviolet-C, Germicidal, orother source) kills airborne pathogens in the room air as the airtravels through the system's internal decontamination chamber. Thedecontaminated air exits the decontamination chamber and exits the unitback into the room.

The luminaire may also contain an external non-visible decontaminationlight source consisting of germicidal ultraviolet light (UV-C) orsimilar in function source, designed to destroy pathogens on surfaces orin air as they come into contact with the external non-visible lightsource. The external non-visible light source may consist of Lightemitting diode (LED), fluorescent, germicidal, ultraviolet (UV-C), orany other decontamination source.

Both the internal and the optional external decontamination source arepreferably “invisible light” less than 400 nm in wavelength. Thelighting may be LED, fluorescent, germicidal, ultraviolet (UV-C), orother decontamination-type source or other lighting known in the art.

Currently, Fluorescent UV-C (Ultraviolet-C) is the most effectivedecontamination system on market, and the preferred wavelength for theapplication is 257 nm. UV-C is a pathogen-killing light source that isunsafe for human contact. A decontamination source using UV-CFluorescent-type is not visible light, so it would be dangerous tohumans if not treated safely. However, other methods of destroyingbacteria, such as sound or ultrasound technology may be used to destroypathogens. In that case, the decontamination source would not be light(UV spectrum based), but sound based, and implementing the system anddevice of the present invention would simply involve replacing theUV-based decontamination source with the sound- or ultrasound-baseddecontamination source.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention achieves this goal with a housing 10, which may besubstantially triangular or trapezoidal in the cross section for easierwall mounting and air circulation. The housing 10 is adapted to beplaced, attached or mounted onto a wall 100 or a surface inside a roomby securing means 60 attached to or mounted on the housing 10. Thesecuring means 60 may be permanently or removably attached to thehousing 10 by a variety of methods: glue, screws, bolts, rivets, or thesecuring means may be permanently attached to the housing 10 by beingmolded into the material from which the housing 10 is constructed, orwelded or riveted to it.

The housing 10 has an internal space 12, in which the internalcomponents of the luminaire are mounted, including one or more externallight sources 20 coupled with the housing 10 so that the illuminatingpart of the light sources 20 is visible outside. The external lightsources 20 are preferably selectively operable to illuminate the room orany environment where the luminaire is mounted. The internal space 12also contains at least two, but possibly more than two, substantiallyhorizontal plates 15 disposed in the internal space 12, defining adecontamination chamber 16 between the plates 15. The plates 15preferably shield the rest of the internal space 12 and the housing 10from the UV radiation harmful to people. The plates 15 are preferablysubstantially parallel to each other, but they do not have to behorizontal: depending on the structure of the internal space 12, theplates 15 may be substantially vertical or other positions.

At least one internal decontamination source 30 is placed, attached ormounted into the decontamination chamber 16 located inside the internalspace 12 of the housing 10. Also contained in the internal space 12 ofthe housing 10 are the means for driving air 40 through thedecontamination chamber 16, wherein the air is disinfected by the atleast one internal decontamination source 30 when the air passes throughthe decontamination chamber 16. The means for driving air 40 arepreferably air fans, but they could be other means for driving air.Thus, with reference to FIG. 1-3, the means for driving air 40 take roomair into the internal space 12 of the housing 10, through the lower airvent 42 and drive it into the decontamination chamber 16 between theplates 15. When the at least one internal decontamination source 30 isactive, pathogens and bacteria are killed or disabled when passingthrough the decontamination chamber 16.

The means for driving air 40 then exhaust disinfected air from theinternal space 12 of the housing 10 through the upper air vent 48. Themeans for driving air 40 may include optional air filters 70, such as,for example particular matter filters, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thedirectional arrows 44 show the path of air flow that comes into thelower air vent 42, and the directional arrows 46 show the path of theair flow that comes out of the upper air vent 48. The directional arrows45 show the path of the turbulent air flow through the decontaminationchamber 16. The lower air vent 42 and/or the upper vent 48 may beremovable or hinged to enable easy access to the air filters 70 formaintenance and/or replacement.

The housing 10 preferably includes a front access panel 50 or anotheraccess panel that would be easy to operate for maintenance and repairsof the luminaire, without the need to remove it from its place orpermanent or semi-permanent attachment. An access panel 50 in the frontor in the side of the housing 10 should generally be convenient.

An alternative embodiment of the system and device of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 2, thisalternative embodiment of the present invention has a housing 10, whichis substantially triangular in the cross section for easier wallmounting and air circulation. The housing 10 is adapted to be placed,attached or mounted onto a wall 100 or a surface inside a room bysecuring means 60 attached to or mounted on the housing 10, asillustrated in FIG. 3. The securing means 60 may be permanently orremovably attached to the housing 10 by a variety of methods: glue,screws, bolts, rivets, or other means, or the securing means 60 may bepermanently attached to the housing 10 by being molded into the materialfrom which the housing 10 is constructed, or welded or riveted to it.Any combination of the disclosed attachment methods may be used, and theactual securing means 60 used on the housing 10 determines theconnection to the wall 100 (for example, bolts are bolted in and screwsare screwed in—preferably into aluminum or wooden beams, or otherstructures that can support the weight of the luminaire).

The housing 10 has an internal space 12, in which the internalcomponents of the luminaire are mounted, including one or more externallight sources 20 coupled with the housing 10 so that the illuminatingpart of the light sources 20 is visible outside. The external lightsources 20 are preferably selectively operable to illuminate the room orany environment where the luminaire is mounted. The internal space 12also contains at least two, but possibly more than two, substantiallyhorizontal plates 15 disposed in the internal space 12, defining adecontamination chamber 16 between the plates 15. The plates 15preferably shield the rest of the internal space 12 and the housing 10from the UV radiation harmful to people.

At least one internal decontamination source 30 is placed, attached ormounted into the decontamination chamber 16 located inside the internalspace 12 of the housing 10. Also contained in the internal space 12 ofthe housing 10 are the means for driving air 40 through thedecontamination chamber 16, wherein the air is disinfected by the atleast one internal decontamination source 30 when the air passes throughthe decontamination chamber 16. The means for driving air 40 arepreferably air fans, but they could be other means for driving air.Thus, with reference to FIG. 2-3, the means for driving air 40 take roomair into the internal space 12 of the housing 10, through the lower airvent 42 and drive it into the decontamination chamber 16 between theplates 15. When the at least one internal decontamination source 30 isactive, pathogens and bacteria are killed or disabled when passingthrough the decontamination chamber 16.

The means for driving air 40 then exhaust disinfected air from theinternal space 12 of the housing 10 through the upper air vent 48. Themeans for driving air 40 may include optional air filters 70, such as,for example particular matter filters, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thedirectional arrows 44 show the path of air flow that comes into thelower air vent 42, and the directional arrows 46 show the path of theair flow that comes out of the upper air vent 48. The directional arrows45 show the path of the turbulent air flow through the decontaminationchamber 16. The lower air vent 42 and/or the upper vent 48 may beremovable or hinged to enable easy access to the air filters 70 formaintenance and/or replacement.

The housing 10 preferably includes a front access panel 50 or anotheraccess panel that would be easy to operate for maintenance and repairsof the luminaire, without the need to remove it from its place orpermanent or semi-permanent attachment. An access panel 50 in the frontor in the side of the housing 10 should generally be convenient. Thisalternative embodiment also includes an external decontamination source80 mounted on the outside of the housing 10 (or inside the housing butso that the emitting part of the external decontamination source 80protrudes from the housing 10 to enable decontamination of the immediatearea). Because this preferred embodiment employs a substantiallytriangular or trapezoidal cross section housing 10, the externaldecontamination source 80 is slanted or tilted naturally towards thelower part of the room or the immediate surrounding area below theluminaire, so that when the external decontamination source 80 is turnedon, it destroys bacteria and pathogens in that area. An optional warningstrobe 90 may also be mounted in the housing 10, illustrated in FIG. 3just below the external decontamination source 80. The warning strobe 90warns people not to come into the room or the immediate surrounding areaif the external decontamination source 80 is activated because UVradiation, which is one of the decontamination methods discloses in thisapplication, is harmful to people.

Yet another alternative embodiment of the system and device of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. With reference to FIG. 4,this alternative embodiment of the present invention has a housing 10,which is rectangular in the cross section. However, the physical shapeof the housing may be of any shape. The housing 10 has an internal space12, in which the internal components of the luminaire are mounted. Theinternal space 12 contains at least two, but possibly more than two,substantially horizontal plates 15 disposed in the internal space 12,defining a decontamination chamber 16 between the plates 15. The plates15 preferably shield the rest of the internal space 12 and the housing10 from the UV radiation harmful to people.

At least one internal decontamination source 30 is placed, attached ormounted into the decontamination chamber 16 located inside the internalspace 12 of the housing 10. Also contained in the internal space 12 ofthe housing 10 are the means for driving air 40 through thedecontamination chamber 16, wherein the turbulent air is disinfected bythe at least one internal decontamination source 30 when the air passesthrough the decontamination chamber 16. The means for driving air 40 arepreferably air fans, but they could be other means for driving air.Thus, with reference to FIG. 4, the means for driving air 40 take roomair into the internal space 12 of the housing 10, through the lower airvent 42 and drive it into the decontamination chamber 16 between theplates 15. When the at least one internal decontamination source 30 isactive, pathogens and bacteria are killed or disabled when passingthrough the decontamination chamber 16.

The means for driving air 40 then exhaust disinfected air from theinternal space 12 of the housing 10 through the upper air vent 48. Thedirectional arrows 44 show the path of air flow that comes into thelower air vent 42, and the directional arrows 46 show the path of theair flow that comes out of the upper air vent 48. The directional arrows45 show the path of the turbulent air flow through the decontaminationchamber 16. The lower air vent 42 and/or the upper vent 48 may beremovable or hinged to enable easy access to optional air filters or fansystem for maintenance and/or replacement.

The practical use of the preferred embodiment of the present inventionis illustrate in FIG. 5, where the light fixture's housing 10 is mountedon a wall 100 above a hospital bed 110. The light fixture circulates theair in the room and above the hospital bed 110 by drawing air into thelower air vent 42, pushing air though the housing 10 where the air isdecontaminated as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, and exhausting the air fromthe upper air vent 48. Directional arrows 115 show the air travel insidethe room, in and out of the light fixture. The directional air flow hasoption of being reversed to allow air flow through fixture, intodecontamination chamber, then exit the unit in direction opposite thedirection illustrated in FIG. 5. The light sources 20 provideillumination of the room.

In the preferred embodiment, the light fixture, its housing 10, and theother parts of the system may be made from metal, plastic or othermaterials that are commonly used for making light fixtures. However, thehousing 10 may also be made from more exotic materials such as wood,glass, porcelain, or Plexiglas or other to add to the artistic factor ofsuch light fixtures.

The light fixture may have a back-up (battery or rechargeable battery)power supply in case of a power outage at the hospital.

The light fixture may also include internal electronics (includingonboard memory chips or modules, computer chips, and wiring), otherinternal and/or external lights (such as LED or fiber optic), and otherto further enhance the usefulness and control associated with thepresent invention, such as for example control circuitry, time-based airsweeps, air quality sensors, voice- or sound-activated controls, and soon.

While the system and device of the present invention have been shown anddescribed in accordance with the preferred and practical embodimentsthereof, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosureare contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention.Therefore, the true scope of the invention should not be limited by theabovementioned description of the preferred embodiment since othermodifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon astudy of the drawings, description, explanations, and specificationsherein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles describedherein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention and the subject matter of the presentinvention.

The system and device of the present invention may be used not just athospitals or health care facilities, but also other locations withincreased likelihood of bacteria or other pathogen accumulation, such asany common area where people congregate or spend time, public places,buses, trains, aircraft, spacecraft, ships, emergency vehicles,transportation vehicles, or any other area with a particular emphasis onsanitary facilities or decontamination.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wall-mounted light fixture, comprising: a. Ahousing of the light fixture, having a substantially-vertical mountingwall with an upper edge and a lower edge, a substantially-horizontal topwall connected to the mounting wall along the upper edge, asubstantially-horizontal bottom wall connected to the lower edge, and afront wall connected to the top wall and the bottom wall along theirrespective edges opposite to connections at the upper edge and the loweredge so that the front wall is substantially facing a room when thelight fixture is installed, said mounting wall, top wall, bottom walland front wall defining an internal space, wherein the housing isadapted to be placed, attached or mounted onto the wall inside the roomby securing means coupled with the mounting wall so that the top wall isbelow room ceiling level; b. One or more external light sources coupledsubstantially flush with at least one of the top wall and the frontwall, said one or more external light sources being selectively operableto illuminate the room; c. A plurality of substantially parallel platesdisposed in the internal space, defining a decontamination chamber forair flow therebetween; d. At least one internal decontamination sourceadapted to be placed, attached or mounted into the decontaminationchamber; and e. One or more fan for driving air through thedecontamination chamber, wherein the air is in direct contact with theat least one internal decontamination source and is decontaminated bythe at least one internal decontamination source when the air passesthrough the decontamination chamber.
 2. The light fixture of claim 1,wherein the least one internal decontamination source is placed,attached or mounted on at least one of the plurality of substantiallyparallel plates.
 3. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising atleast one aperture in the top wall or the front wall selectivelyoperable as an air intake aperture or an air exhaust aperture, saidaperture cooperating with the one or more fan for driving air.
 4. Thelight fixture of claim 1, further comprising at least one air exhaustaperture in the top wall cooperating with the one or more fan fordriving air.
 5. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the least oneinternal decontamination source is selectively operable to decontaminateair.
 6. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising at least oneselectively operable external decontamination source disposed on thefront wall.
 7. The light fixture of claim 1, wherein the securing meansare removably attachable.
 8. The light fixture of claim 1, furthercomprising a maintenance panel in the front wall to access the internalspace.
 9. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising at least oneair filter coupled with the one or more fan for driving air.
 10. Thelight fixture of claim 9, further comprising a vent access panel toaccess the at least one air filter.
 11. The light fixture of claim 10,wherein the vent access panel is removable or hinged to provide accessto the internal space for repair and maintenance.
 12. The light fixtureof claim 1, wherein one or more of the housing, the walls, the securingmeans, the one or more external light sources, the plurality ofsubstantially parallel plates, the at least one internal decontaminationsource, and the one or more fan for driving air are modular.
 13. Thelight fixture of claim 1, further comprising a room occupancy sensor ormotion sensor for activating the one or more external light sources orthe at least one internal decontamination source.
 14. The light fixtureof claim 1, wherein the at least one internal decontamination source isselected from a group consisting from germicidal light, ultravioletlight, ultraviolet-C light (UV-C), sonic source, and ultrasonic source.15. The light fixture of claim 1, further comprising an internal back uppower source to power the one or more external light sources or the atleast one internal decontamination source.
 16. The light fixture ofclaim 14, wherein the least one internal decontamination source is anLED-based ultraviolet light.
 17. The light fixture of claim 1, whereinthe at least one internal decontamination source is selected from agroup consisting from germicidal light, ultraviolet light, ultraviolet-Clight (UV-C), sonic source, and ultrasonic source.
 18. The light fixtureof claim 1, further comprising an internal back up power source to powerthe one or more external light sources or the at least one internaldecontamination source.
 19. The light fixture of claim 17, wherein theleast one internal decontamination source is an LED-based ultravioletlight.
 20. A wall-mounted light fixture, comprising: a. A light fixturehousing having a substantially-vertical mounting wall with an upper edgeand a lower edge, a substantially horizontal top wall connected to themounting wall at the upper edge, a substantially horizontal bottom wallconnected to the mounting wall at the lower edge, and a substantiallyvertical front wall opposite to the mounting wall, said front wall beingconnected to the top wall and the bottom wall along their respectiveedges opposite to connections at the upper edge and the lower edge, saidwalls defining an internal space therebetween, wherein the housing isadapted to be placed, attached or mounted onto the wall inside a room bysecuring means coupled with the mounting wall so that the top wall isbelow room ceiling level; b. A top external light source coupledsubstantially flush with the top wall, said top external light sourcebeing selectively operable to illuminate the room; c. Air intake meansdisposed in the internal space; d. An air intake aperture in the bottomwall or the front wall cooperatively coupled with the air intake means;e. Air exhaust means disposed in the internal space; f. An air exhaustaperture in the top wall or the front wall cooperatively coupled withthe air exhaust means; g. A plurality of substantially parallel platesdisposed in the internal space, defining a decontamination duct for airflow therebetween; and h. At least one internal decontamination sourceadapted to be placed, attached or mounted into the decontamination duct,wherein the air intake means draw air through the air intake apertureand drive the air through the decontamination duct where the air is indirect contact with the at least one internal decontamination source andis decontaminated by the at least one internal decontamination source,and wherein the air exhaust means draw air from the decontamination ductand expel the air through the air exhaust aperture.
 21. The lightfixture of claim 20, wherein the least one internal decontaminationsource is placed, attached or mounted on at least one of the pluralityof substantially parallel plates.
 22. The light fixture of claim 20,further comprising at least one selectively operable externaldecontamination source disposed on the front wall or the bottom wall.23. The light fixture of claim 20, further comprising a maintenancepanel in the front wall or the bottom wall to access the internal space.24. The light fixture of claim 20, wherein the at least one internaldecontamination source is selected from a group consisting fromgermicidal light, ultraviolet light, ultraviolet-C light (UV-C), sonicsource, and ultrasonic source.
 25. The light fixture of claim 20,wherein the air intake means and the air exhaust means are selectivelycapable of simultaneously enabling reverse air flow direction, whereinthe air exhaust means draw the air from the air exhaust aperture and theair intake means exhaust the air through the air intake aperture. 26.The light fixture of claim 20, further comprising one or more of amounted indicator to provide an audible or visible alert if a componentfails or requires maintenance and a monitoring system communicating theoperating status of the light fixture to an off-site location monitoringstation.
 27. The light fixture of claim 25, wherein the least oneinternal decontamination source is an LED-based ultraviolet light. 28.The light fixture of claim 20, further comprising a bottom externallight source coupled substantially flush with the bottom wall or a frontexternal light source coupled substantially flush with the front wall,said bottom external light source or said front external light sourcebeing selectively operable to illuminate the room.
 29. The light fixtureof claim 28, wherein the top external light source, the bottom externallight source, or the front external light source is selectively operableby a patient or a person near the light fixture to control visibledirectional lighting.
 30. A wall-mounted light fixture, comprising: a. Ahousing of the light fixture having a substantially-vertical mountingwall with an upper edge and a lower edge, a substantially-horizontal topwall connected to the mounting wall along the upper edge, and an angledfront wall connected to the lower edge, wherein the top wall and thefront wall are connected along their respective edges opposite toconnections at the upper edge and the lower edge so that the front wallis substantially facing a room when the light fixture is installed, saidmounting wall, top wall and front wall defining an internal space,wherein the housing is adapted to be placed, attached or mounted ontothe wall inside the room by securing means coupled with the mountingwall so that the top wall is below room ceiling level; b. One or moreexternal light sources coupled substantially flush with at least one ofthe top wall and the front wall, said one or more external light sourcesbeing selectively operable to illuminate the room; c. A plurality ofsubstantially parallel plates disposed in the internal space, defining adecontamination chamber for air flow therebetween; d. At least oneinternal decontamination source adapted to be placed, attached ormounted into the decontamination chamber; and e. One or more fan fordriving air through the decontamination chamber, wherein the air is indirect contact with the at least one internal decontamination source andis decontaminated by the at least one internal decontamination sourcewhen the air passes through the decontamination chamber.
 31. The lightfixture of claim 30, wherein the least one internal decontaminationsource is placed, attached or mounted on at least one of the pluralityof substantially parallel plates.
 32. The light fixture of claim 30,further comprising at least one aperture in the top wall or the frontwall selectively operable as an air intake aperture or an air exhaustaperture, said aperture cooperating with the one or more fan for drivingair.
 33. The light fixture of claim 30, further comprising at least oneair exhaust aperture in the top wall cooperating with the one or morefan for driving air.
 34. The light fixture of claim 30, wherein theleast one internal decontamination source is selectively operable todecontaminate air.
 35. The light fixture of claim 30, further comprisingat least one selectively operable external decontamination sourcedisposed on the front wall.
 36. The light fixture of claim 30, whereinthe securing means are removably attachable.
 37. The light fixture ofclaim 30, further comprising a maintenance panel in the front wall toaccess the internal space.
 38. The light fixture of claim 30, furthercomprising at least one air filter coupled with the one or more fan fordriving air.
 39. The light fixture of claim 38, further comprising avent access panel to access the at least one air filter.
 40. The lightfixture of claim 39, wherein the vent access panel is removable orhinged to provide access to the internal space for repair andmaintenance.
 41. The light fixture of claim 30, wherein one or more ofthe housing, the walls, the securing means, the one or more externallight sources, the plurality of substantially parallel plates, the atleast one internal decontamination source, and the one or more fan fordriving air are modular.
 42. The light fixture of claim 30, furthercomprising a room occupancy sensor or motion sensor for activating theone or more external light sources or the at least one internaldecontamination source.